Latest Methods of Determining Urban Highway Routes

Though the general principles of urban area route location are generally sound, inadequate weight frequently has been given to the less tangible and intangible factors involved. As an aid to policy makers, rating methods have recently been applied in several urban areas to evaluate the impact of alternative urban freeway routes on community, social, and aesthetic values. Increasing consideration is being given to multimode transportation corridors, covered (and semicovered) freeways, air rights development over and under new freeways, and highway planning in close coordination with urban renewal. There is a rapidly growing awareness of urban highway aesthetics, including consideration of both the view from the road as well as of the road. These emerging concepts will require new approaches including an interdisciplinary effort in the fields of urban highway planning and design. It is important to recognize that urban highways must help to enhance rather than destroy the urban setting.